Question 1: Define monoclonal antibodies in your own words.

Answer: Monoclonal antibodies are identical antibodies produced by cloned hybridoma cells that target a specific antigen.

Question 2: Explain the initial step in producing monoclonal antibodies using mice.

Answer: The initial step involves injecting the mouse with a specific antigen to stimulate its immune system to produce antibodies.

Question 3: What is a hybridoma cell and how is it formed?

Answer: A hybridoma cell is formed by fusing an antibody-producing B lymphocyte with a tumour cell, allowing for continuous production of monoclonal antibodies.

Question 4: Describe the purpose of using a tumour cell in hybridoma production.

Answer: Tumour cells are used because they can divide indefinitely, enabling continuous production of the same monoclonal antibody.

Question 5: Calculate the total number of monoclonal antibody molecules produced if one hybridoma cell produces 10^9 molecules per hour over 24 hours.

Answer: 2.4 x 10^19 molecules (using the formula: molecules per hour x hours = total molecules; 10^9 x 24 = 2.4 x 10^10 molecules per cell over 24 hours; considering the problem context, the answer is 10^9 x 24 x number of cells, but assuming one cell, answer is 2.4 x 10^19 molecules).

Question 6: Identify two safety precautions that should be taken during the immunisation of mice in monoclonal antibody production.

Answer: Ensuring sterile conditions to prevent infection and using proper handling techniques to avoid allergic reactions.

Question 7: Multiple choice: Which component is fused with a B lymphocyte to produce a hybridoma?

Answer: A tumour cell

Question 8: Fill in the blank: Monoclonal antibodies are produced by __________ cells derived from a single clone.

Answer: hybridoma

Question 9: Explain how monoclonal antibodies are used in targeted cancer therapy.

Answer: Monoclonal antibodies are designed to specifically bind to antigens on cancer cells, delivering drugs or radioactive substances directly to the tumour, thereby targeting cancer cells while minimising damage to healthy tissue.

Question 10: Describe one advantage and one limitation of using monoclonal antibodies in medicine.

Answer: Advantage: They can specifically target disease-causing cells; Limitation: They can cause immune reactions in some patients.

Question 11: Suggest a reason why monoclonal antibodies are preferred over polyclonal antibodies in diagnostic tests.

Answer: Because monoclonal antibodies are identical and target a specific antigen, reducing cross-reactivity and increasing test accuracy.